Spring Fling, Blogger-Style!: Mint Smoothie (Soy, Nut, Fish, Egg and Wheat-Free, Can Be Milk-Free and Diabetic Friendly)

~*Welcome to*~

TOMORROW is the LAST day of our Spring-filled link-up with Jo of Jo, My Gosh! and I.  I hope you have gotten by to see Jo's contributions to this week's link-up.  If not, you should, and I hope you will all join in the festivities and link-up below, too (rules below)! :) 

If I haven't been by to visit your submission yet, I will be soon!  I can't wait to see what you have shared with us!

Here's what I've shared with you so far:

1. Sean's Banana Berry Birthday Smoothie (Soy, Wheat, Nut, Fish and Egg-Free, Can Be Milk-Free)
    
2. Super Simple Roasted Asparagus (Soy, Wheat, Egg, Nut, Milk and Fish-Free)
    
3. Beef and Barley Stew (Soy, Nut, Fish, Egg and Wheat-Free, Can Be Milk-Free)

Today, I am sharing a recipe that screams Springtime to me because a certain fast food joint that shall remain nameless always has them this time of year, and I totally love them but wanted a healthier, allergy-friendly version of them.  You all know what I'm talking about: those delightful mint shakes that are oh so good, yet oh so bad.  Well, fear not!  You can now have this Mint Smoothie (a modified version of this recipe I found on Skinny Mom) that is soy (if you use all soy-free ingredients), wheat, egg, nut and fish-free, and can be milk-free (see variations) and diabetic friendly!  All the taste with none of the guilt!  Score! :)

 Mint Smoothie

1 Cup ice

1/2 Cup soy-free vanilla yogurt (I recommend Stonyfield Farm's)

1 to 2 Tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

dash of salt

drop of mint extract

1. Place all ingredients into the blender and blend until desired consistency, adding more ice if it is too thin for your liking or adding more yogurt or even some milk if it is too thick as needed.  (Note: You will probably have to pulse it a few times on an "ice crusher" mode before going full boar.  The amount of sugar is based on personal taste, but I recommend using the lesser amount and adding more as needed.  Resist the urge to add more than a drop of mint extract until AFTER you've tasted the mixture.  A little goes a LONG way.)

Makes about 1 serving.

  

Variations (Please keep your particular allergen needs in mind when using substitutions!):

• Milk-Free: Use a dairy-free yogurt/milk (like SoDelicious) in place of the yogurt.
   
• Diabetic Friendly: You can sub any sugar substitute for the sugar.  You can even use honey, if you can have it, but the taste will be different.
   
• Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie: Add a handful or so of chocolate chips (I recommend Nestles Dark Chocolate Morsels or Enjoy Life brand, depending on your dietary needs) before blending.
   
• More Shake-like: Sub 1 Cup vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt (dairy or non-dairy depending on dietary needs) for the ice and 1/2 Cup milk (dairy or non-dairy depending on dietary needs) for the yogurt and make as directed.

Though this smoothie is not exactly like the milkshake that inspired it, it still hits the spot for me and curbs my cravings for them.  That's a plus in my book.

But what did the family have to say about it?

Did they like it? 

Well, just see what my 2 1/2 year old said:

I think we have a winner. :)

What is your favorite flavor of shake or smoothie? 

~*~*~*~

Now It's Your Turn!

Grab A Badge!

 

<a href="http://naturalandfree.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmsrB1e0fLSb1j_LG3NsUOH4nzN50OXekMvQzXOahhOPcBghZ4RTi_7-FJM2LziQ4xzVI49DxnG36VDoOUyGpU95p3UnrvQ829hoJaHZwAlou8DBga2XywplDockU36AeIktoJbMIEhSi/s800/springflingbadge.jpg" /></a>

(This recipe was originally posted on my original site, Natural and Free.)